Cousin Russell K. Fieg, who threw caution to the wind in the Midwest to pursue a career in show business in the entertainment capital of Las Vegas, NV, died Thursday September 15, 2022 at age 72.
The cause of death is awaiting determination, though he had fought cancer for a number of years.
Russell was born November 15, 1949 in Rifle, CO where his father worked in industrial mining. Shortly after his birth, Russell's family moved to Virginia and Pennsylvania, but eventually settled in Ste. Genevieve, MO in 1955, where he spent his childhood. While in school, his love for music developed, and he was in the school band as well as a rock and roll group, The Mysterians, with four other talented musicians, who performed at various dance events.
Russell attended the University of Missouri from 1967 to 1971, earning a Bachelor's degree in business administration. After college, rather than following in his father's footsteps in the mining industry, he worked for 15 years for the university in various business offices at the Columbia and the Kansas City campuses.
In 1986 he ventured west to Las Vegas, hoping to join another rock band. He bought a baby grand piano and struck out on his own playing keyboard in places such as Sam's Town in Laughlin, NV, and Palace Station and California Hotel in Vegas.
He eventually fell back on his business degree and found employment in the payroll departments of several Las Vegas casinos including The Dunes, MGM Grand, Terrible Herbst, Horseshoe Casino and Affinity Gaming. He retired in 2018.
While his dream of becoming a performer was not realized, he did find the joys of a more traditional life in the golden West, with a 30-year marriage and the ownership of his own home.
Russell is survived by his wife Heny Swantari Fieg of Las Vegas, sister Susan Williams (Edward) of The Villages, FL, brothers Richard Fieg of Ste. Genevieve, MO, Steven Fieg (Eleanor) of Pevely, MO, and Douglas Fieg of Collinsville, IL.
He was preceded in death by his father Lothar "Bud" Fieg and mother Catherine Shafer Fieg. His mother, coincidentally, died on September 15, 1976.
The celebration of his life will be held at his Las Vegas home, and his ashes will be spread on nearby 12,000-foot Mt. Charleston.
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